FARGO, ND (trfnews.i234.me) – A former North Dakota senator, set to admit to traveling abroad to sexually abuse a child, has repeatedly violated his release conditions, a federal report reveals.
Ray Holmberg, R-Grand Forks, has accessed the internet multiple times without approval since his federal indictment in October, according to a U.S. Pretrial Services report filed Friday, Aug. 2, in North Dakota U.S. District Court. The report also states that Holmberg drank alcohol in May, left his home without Pretrial Services approval, and frequented Romantix, an adult novelty store, all in violation of his release conditions.
“Due to the statutory mandate of detention, respectfully, the defendant is not viewed as a suitable candidate for self-surrender,” U.S. Pretrial Services Officer Christine Argall wrote.
Holmberg, 80, agreed on June 18 to plead guilty in North Dakota U.S. District Court to traveling to Prague multiple times with intentions to sexually abuse a minor between June 24, 2011, and Nov. 1, 2016. The plea hearing is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 8, in Fargo. In exchange, a child sex abuse materials charge will be dismissed, and prosecutors will request 37 months of prison time, the low end of the federal guidelines.
The Pretrial Services report raises questions about whether Holmberg will be taken into custody after his plea hearing or continue to await sentencing at home. U.S. District Judge Alice Senechal initially allowed Holmberg to stay at home with strict conditions, including no alcohol or drug use, surrendering his passport, and not contacting known victims. He also was barred from leaving his home or accessing the internet without Pretrial Services approval.
Despite warnings from Pretrial Services, Holmberg repeatedly violated these conditions, including accessing the internet without approval and failing to comply with monitoring software updates on his devices. Holmberg tested positive for alcohol on May 8 and communicated with the monitoring software provider through an unapproved iPad, leading to a modified agreement with stricter searches and electronic access restrictions.
In May, Pretrial Services found Apple product boxes in Holmberg’s bedroom closet, and a search of his home in June revealed unauthorized content on his smart TV. Holmberg’s attorney, Mark Friese, was unavailable for comment, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office declined to comment on the report.